Anti-Defamation League condemns swastikas drawn on Boulder stores

By Mitchell Byars, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
01/09/2013 12:28:56 PM MST

Derek Falls, manager at Weekends on the Pearl Street Mall, washes a drawing of a swastika off the store's front display window Jan. 7. Weekends was one of at least three stores to be tagged with swastikas. (Mitchell Byars/Daily Camera)

The Anti-Defamation League's Mountain States Region today issued a statement condemning the swastikas drawn on the windows of three Boulder stores on the Pearl Street Mall this week.

"The Anti-Defamation League condemns all vandalism, and in particular the use of swastikas," Scott Levin, regional director, said in a statement. "The use of swastikas sends a strong message of hate and goes against the spirit of inclusivity and respect valued by the overwhelming majority of Boulder residents. We deplore this despicable act that affects the entire Boulder community. In times like these and always, we must join together to declare Boulder, and all of Colorado, no place for hate."

Employees confirmed the swastikas -- which appear to have been drawn by the same person -- appeared on windows at Lindsay's Boulder Deli at Haagen-Dazs, 1148 Pearl St.; Weekends, 1200 Pearl St.; and Installation, 1955 Broadway. Employees believe the drawings were made sometime late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

The drawings appeared to have been made with some sort of grease pen or crayon.

None of the businesses filed any complaints with police, and Boulder police spokeswoman Kim Kobel said Tuesday that no businesses filed any complaints about tagging on Pearl Street.